What auto liability covers
- Bodily injury to other drivers, passengers and pedestrians
- Damage to other vehicles and property (guardrails, buildings, signs)
- Legal defense costs if you are sued after an accident
- MCS-90 endorsement required for interstate for-hire carriers
- BMC-91X federal filing and state filings where required
Who needs it
Every for-hire motor carrier and owner-operator with their own authority. If you are leased to a carrier, their policy usually covers you while under dispatch — see Non-Trucking & Bobtail Liability for the rest of the time.
Common requirements
- $750,000 federal minimum for most general freight carriers over 10,001 lbs
- $1,000,000 is what most brokers and shippers ask for
- Higher limits (up to $5,000,000) for certain hazardous materials
- State intrastate requirements vary — we confirm yours
Requirements change by state, cargo and contract. This page is general information — your agent will confirm what applies to your operation.